Original artwork, not a still
Misattributed to Gendo Ikari
Get in the robot, Shinji.
— Neon Genesis Evangelion • 1995
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
The meme is blunt shorthand for the whole series: a boy given no choice, a father who treats him as equipment. Fans quote it for any pushy-parent moment and for any job you are ordered into before you are ready. Gendo never says it in these words; the tone, not the wording, is what stuck.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for Neon Genesis EvangelionShow the scene
The fan shorthand compresses episode 1 of Neon Genesis Evangelion, "Angel Attack" (1995). Shinji Ikari arrives at NERV headquarters, is shown Evangelion Unit-01 and learns his father Gendo has summoned him to pilot it against the Angel Sachiel. Shinji protests that he cannot pilot that thing. Gendo answers coldly that if he is going to do it he should do it now, and if not he should leave. The wounded Rei Ayanami is wheeled out as the alternative, and Shinji gives in.
Sources (2)
- Wikiquote: Neon Genesis EvangelionEpisode 1 dialogueReference checked
- Evangelion Wiki: Angel AttackPlot summaryReference checked
Context reviewed
